Threes

My mum used to say that everything comes in threes. She wasn’t superstitious. She was a Godly lady who took her faith seriously, but she noticed life. One of her observations was that things sometimes come in groups of three.

From the arrival of the local service bus, to the notice of announcements of death, and everything inbetween, she saw that things happen in threes. Even the pastor’s sermons invariably have three points. The Trinity is a three part image of God. Our lives are separated into time spans of past, present, and future. There are three physical dimensions, length, breadth, and height.

In the spiritual realm, we have three elements of salvation. Upward in repentance and thanks to God, inward as we start to change from the inside out as we become more like Jesus, and outward as we reach out in love to those around us. We don’t love others to drag them to church because that may never happen. A wise old pastor asked his younger congregation why nightingales sing? As an adult, I was stumped until he explained that nightingales sing because they are nightingales! He went on to say that we should love others, and pass on the comfort God has given us in our troubles, only because we are His children and we love Him. No other reason is needed. It becomes our nature, just like the singing nightingale.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

Head of the House?

If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in me – to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung round their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:6

He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 1 Timothy 3:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

As a dad and granda, these verses tug at my heart. There must have been times when I was short with my children, and didn’t give them their place to be heard. Did I ever make them feel unloved? I hope not, certainly, that was never my intention, but did I do it without needed and expected due care and attention? The Bible is clear. God loves a family man, but that comes with great responsibility. Jesus’ words make that obvious.

It goes further than my own, or your, children because Jesus refers to ‘those who believe in me’, as little ones in the faith. The same applies. Have I always been a steadying influence on those who would look to me as a Christian? Am I a good example in my talk, walk, and way of life? It seems that the weight of responsibility on men and dads is heavy. Are we up to the challenge? Am I up to the mark?

It is too easy to speak with loveless authority, to the point that we lose our influence and example. What else can we leave to our children and those younger in the faith who watch us? The house, car and money you leave in your will, are soon gone and spent, but your influence and example live on well after your passing. We only have this life to get it right, so let’s make every effort to live as that positive and Godly example while we have the chance. The alternative with its consequences to all those who follow after us, or watch us, do not bear thinking about. Let’s do our best to avoid that outcome… at ALL costs!

My Father's Way

Normally, I am not one for poetry, or verse, but recently I was sent this poem from a special Aunt, and for a special occasion. No explanation is needed, and it can apply to more than one situation, at more than one time in our lives.

My Father’s way may twist and turn

My heart may throb and ache

But in my soul I am glad to know

He maketh no mistake

My cherished plans may go astray

My hopes may fade away

But still I trust my Lord to lead

For Father knows the way

There is so much I cannot see

My eye is still so dim

But come what may I still can trust

And leave it all to Him

For by and by the mist will lift

And darkness turn to day

Then looking back we will praise His Name

Who led us all the way.